Livestock shows are an important learning opportunity for thousands of 4-H and FFA youth across the United States. For these youth, exhibiting at their county or state fair represents the culmination of many months of work dedicated to the care and training of their animals. Agricultural exhibitions also provide meaningful opportunities for the public to learn about animal agriculture, observe animal behavior, and experience what it might be like to live on a farm.
More than 150 million people visit agricultural fairs each year in North America. Influenza can spread wherever animals or people congregate, and agricultural fairs are no exception. These resources identify ways that fair management and fair exhibitors can keep both humans and animals healthy and safe during these popular public events.